Paystation system



May

C. E. LOMAX PAYSTATION SYSTEM Filed March 27, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet. 1

no] FI l G FINDER 55 50 cs' .4I

57 5a L SOI n ro c LINE cxr r +L D 'Il IU l f ALD cs l T I To coNNEcToR EL START l5 Is RLY- n I' VQ" GUARD` A r 9o ALLDTTI:R\

1:21.- im D L Isr. FINDER AssIGN I RELAY T LAS QUI- I FINDER I I 4 I AssIsN I I/RELAY so if i I-I INVENTOR. CLARENCE E. LOMAX ATTY.

May 7, 1957 Filed March 27, 1955 IIO C. E. LOMAX PAYSTATION SYSTEM ALa cass

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 GUARD ||O+ '[222 IIO- seq l INVENTOR. CLARENCE E. LOMAX BY @ma May 7, 1957 c. E. LoMAx 2,791,634

PAYsTATIoN SYSTEM Filed Maren 27, 195s 4 sums-sheet s SEQUENCE SWITCH CAM I r1.1/ ses INVENTOR. CLA R EME E. LOMAX ATTY.

May 7, 1957 Filed March 27, 1953 C. E. LOMAX PAYSTATION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 SELECTOR 'o' LEVEL TO TOLL OPERATOR CONNECTOR FIG.4

INVENTOR. CLARENCE E LOMAX ATTY.

nted States Patent Oce 2,791,634 Patented May 7, 1957 PAYSTATIN SYSTEM Clarence E. Lomax, Chicago, Ill., assignor to General Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware Application March 27, 1953, Serial No. 344,987

26 Claims. (Cl. 179-455) The present invention relates in general to telephone paystation systems and in particular to a type of paystation system wherein improved paystation services and operations are provided and in which said services and operations are controlled from remote apparatus.

Playstation systems, including means for receiving coins, have always presented special problems in the telephone industry as intricate and expensive equipment must be provided for the accomplishment of most paystation functions such as automatic coin collecting or refundingy operations, especially if a large deposit of coins has been made or also where, as in the present system, a few digits may be dialled from a paystation phone or line without deposition of a coin. The present system provides these and other services and operations in a manner commensurate with improved economy and eiciency.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide said services and operations with a minimum of expense and the elimination of much equipment that has hitherto been provided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paystation system wherein the coin magnet is prevented from pulsing while the dialling operation is taking place thereby providing improved transmission of dial pulses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a circuit whereby the coin magnet can more readily operate the heavier load encountered on the deposit of a large number of coins.

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus in a prepay telephone paystation system wherein a few digits may be dialled without the deposit of a coin.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide apparatus for repeatedly operating the coin magnet on termination of a call for either collecting or refunding the required coin or coins, if not disposed of immediately.

As the accomplishment of some of the noted functions involves more operations than are ordinarily provided in paystation systems, another object is to prevent the seizure of the switch apparatus or equipment by another line until all operations and functions are completed and the equipment is returned to normal.

Among the features of this invention is the connection of the coin magnet to the line in such a manner as to provide great power to the magnet by operating said magnet over a circuit including both sides of the line.

Another feature of this invention are the circuit arrangements for allowing the dialling of a number of digits without deposit of a coin.

Another feature is the circuit arrangement allowing the insertion of a number of neon lamps each individually in series with one winding of the double wound coin magnet to prevent pulsing of the coin magnet by normal exchange battery when dialling is initiated.

Another feature also relates to the prevention, in prepay paystation systems wherein deposit of a coin grounds one side of the coin magnet, of coin magnet pulsing during dialling. This feature consists of off-normal springs between the magnet and ground which are opened to remove the ground when the dial is turned off-normal.

Still another feature of this invention is the novel circuit arrangement and apparatus for automatically operating the coin magnet to perform its respective functions.

Further features of this invention include the circuits and apparatus for making repeated collection or refund attempts and testing for the success of each attempt.

Still other features of this invention are the circuit arrangements for preventing the seizure of the equipment until all operations are completed.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent on further perusal of the specification, claims and drawings.

The present invention contemplates the use of coin magnets in series with neon lamps. The use of a neon lamp is disclosed in the well-known Gray type paystation systems such as shown in Patent No. 2,226,730, issued to Lomax, December 31, 1940. Heretofore in many such systems the coin magnet has been arranged in series with one side of the line thereby allowing power to be delivered to said magnet only from that side of the line and preventing the operation of the magnet springs when the load was extremely heavy due to the deposit of a large number of coins. Past systems also presented the problem of poor pulse transmission during the dialling operation as, if a neon lamp is arranged in series with the coin magnet, it would often ionize and allow the coin magnet to pulse.

In the present system however power is provided for the coin magnet from both sides of the line, and therefore it operates much heavier loads than has previously been possible. The connection from each winding of the coin magnet to a respective side of the line is made through a neon lamp individual to the winding. Thus when the dial springs are open and the coin magnet windingsA are directly across the line two neon lamps are in series with the windings to provide. a high resistance for preventing the. coin magnet from operating. Deposit of a coin of course grounds one side of both windings of the magnet and therefore to prevent pulsing of the magnet, the present system is arranged to remove this ground when the dial -is turned oit-normal. This prevents a circuit being completed from one side of the line through one neon lamp and one winding to ground during dialling and thereby provides improved transmission of the dialed digital pulses.

Proceeding now with the general description of the operation, the present system is designed to serve paystations from which a party might desire to call the local police or tire department and for which service it is not desirable to charge. Therefore a number of digits, in this system 3, may be dialled to connect with the desired police or fire department without depositing a coin. After the dialling of a predetermined number of digits, which as before mentioned in this system is 3, a repeater between the finder and selector having a sequence switch therein for controlling certain circuits completes a shunting circuit for preventing further dialling, if a coin has not been deposited. A party at one of these departments on :answering the call does not reverse battery for reasons which will be made apparent on further reading of the specification. As :a great many systems today use 7 digit numbers for completing calls the apparatus is arranged to provide service for 7 ydigit numbers for regular local calls Ialthough this system may easily be arranged t-o accommodate less digits. The number of digits that may be dialled without deposit of coin may easily be changed to laccommodate more or less digits by simply changing the cam `structure of the sequence switch. This may also be done to :accommodate the dialling yof more than 7 digits fora regular local call.

' On regular local calls the paystation repeater sequence switch is operated as on free calls and is stepped once with each dialled digit and after 3 digits have been dialled completes circuits for automatically preventing the transmission of further pulses if a coin has not been deposited. If a coin has been deposited before initiating dialling the party at the paystation dials the desired number of digits for making his connection, in this case 7, to advance the sequence switch to a corresponding position and after completion of the call and the parties having hung up, the sequence switch automatically advances to complete circuits for operating the coin magnet a number of times for repeated attempts to collect. The sequence switch also positions the repeater for testing after each attempt to collect so that if the rst attempt is successful the switch will be advanced to itsV normal position without further collect operations. A similar repeated refund operation is also provided in the necessary instances.

A paystation repeater is arranged between each iinder and selector in the links associated with the paystation lines. The finders, selectors and line circuits provided herein may be of any well-known type,`however for the purposes of illustration, the invention will be considered in conjunction with the under-allotter circuit and the selector circuit disclosed in Patent No. 2,513,426, issued to Lomax, July 4, 1950. In this patent, groups of finderselector links each serving a subgroup of lines of a main group of lines'may be interchangeably assigned to subgroups other than the one normally served. This is accomplished by means of an all links busy relay in the allotter commonly grounded in each iinder-selector link associated with a particular subgroup of lines. As each link is called into service a ground is removed from the all links busy relay and when the ground of the last idle link in the group is removed the all links busy relay releases and-another group of links are assigned temporarily to Vserve the subgroup of lines served by the first Vgroup of links until ground is once again connected to the all links busy relay from an idle link in said iirst group. In the present system ground will not be replaced on the all links busy relay from any particular link until the entire operation is completed as the links must be held and prevented from being seized until the collection or refund attempt is completed. This ground cannot be replacedY to operate the all links busy relay even after the selector releases as the circuit is held open in the paystation repeater until its functions have been completed and in this respect is also an important improvement over previous paystation systems.

In this latter patent a finder assign relay in the allotter preselects `an idle finder. The start relay of the selected `idle finder prevents the forwarding of ground from the nder to a second finder assign relay through make contacts of the first finder assign relay until the nder has found the line. The second finder assign relay on operating from the forwarded ground now prepares the second finder link. The selector of the iirst link likewise forwards ground back to the guard lead to the nder assign relays only after it is stepped vertically. To Vprevent the finder assign relay associated with any particular nder-selector link from being taken into use immediately after release of the finder and selector and until the paystation repeater has completed its functions a ground is provided to said lead from a make contact on the sequence switch of the repeater. This is necessary to prevent the link being taken into use until the sequence Vswitch is stepped home at which time the last ground is removed from the guard lead and therefore the associated assign relay on operating can prepare the link for use by another line. This is done in a manner representing a distinct improvement over the prior paystation art.

If the calling party desires to make a toll call it is not necessary to deposit a coin as by dialling the one digit 0, the selector is operated to its tenth position'where it n 2,791,634 V- i 4 will seize a. combined line recording circuit connected to a toll operators board. The combined line recording circuit not shown herein is of any well-known type in which the operator may reverse battery to the repeater.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 discloses the paystation circuit which is designed to operate with any weil-known standard type of coin receiving mechanism such as that disclosed in Patent No. 1,043,219, issued to O. F. Forsberg, November 5, 1912, which has been modiiied to the extent that an added set of coin springs are closed momentarily as a coin falls through the chute. The line circuit and finder-allotter associated with the paystation are shown in block form. The inder-allotter circuit although completely described in the second mentioned patent to Lomax is partially shown as to several details to enable one skilled in the art to understand their operation in connection with the present invention. Such details are confined to such parts as necessarily cooperate with the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the circuit arrangements for the paystation repeater connected between the finder and the selector.

Fig. 4 merely shows a selector of the type disclosed in the second mentioned Lomax patent with such details as are necessary for a complete understanding of the invention.

As previously noted a subscriber on making a regular local call dials a 7 digit number in order to reach another local subscriber, or if he desired to make a free local call and reach one of the civic services such as the re department or police department for which it may not be desirable to charge, the party at the paystation may dial a predetermined 3 digit number in order to reach one of these services, and it is not necessary for him to deposit a coin in making this latter type of connection.

Free local service On removal of the handset from the switchhook before dialling, a circuit is completed from one side of the line relay (not shown) in the line circuit 69 over the -L line extended back through pulsing contact springs Al0, switchhook contact springs 90, coil 15, transmitter 80, and back over the +L line to the other side of the line relay. The line relay 0n operating results in the operation of the start relay of the nder 70 preselected by the first assign relay of allotter and finder '70 steps to rnd the line in any well-known manner and extend the loop over trunk to the paystation repeater. The -L conductor of line 10 now extends through contacts 241, 261, conductor 290, repeating coil 307 through the upper winding of differential relay 340, and to battery at the other side of the upper winding of relay 330 while the +L conductor of line 110 is extended through contacts 242, contacts 262, conductor 290', repeating coil 308, the lower winding of differential relay 340, the lower winding of relay 330 to ground thereby operating only relay 330 over the line loop. Relay 330 on operating closes contacts 333 to complete a circuit from ground, contacts 266, conductor 334, contacts 333, to slow-to-release relay 350. Contacts 331 are also closed to prepare a circuit to the selector line relay. Relay 350 operates and closes contacts 351, 353 and 354; preparing at contacts 354 a circuit to relay 360. At contacts 353 holding ground is sent back over C conductor 355 to finder '70 to hold the finder switching relay (not shown). A circuit is now completed to the line relay (not shown) of selector 410 over -L line of trunk 380, contacts 263, contacts 331, 351, repeating coil winding 307', left hand winding of relay 370, repeating coil winding 30S', contacts 264', +L line of trunk 380 to operate the line relay and seize the selector. Dial tone is now sent back from the selector over trunks 380, 290 and 110 through the finder 70, the line circuit 60, to the calling partys receiver 86 in the well-known manner.

lnder.

s the ifinder was stepped to lind the line, vertical offnormal springs V. VO. N. `operated butdidnot send ground back to the next finder assign relay until the line was found and the start relay released. The Vnext finder assign relay on operating as explained in Patent No. 2,513,426, issued to Lomax, July 4, 1950, releases the lfirst iinder assign relay and prepares its own associated finder for operation. In this manner each finder sends -ground back to the next succeeding finder -assign relay. When the -last finder assign relay operates it releases the previous 'finder assign relay and completes a circuit for reoperating the first finder assign relay. The -iirst tinder assign relay reoperates and opens the circuit to the vlast iinder assign relay which releases. The rst finder assign relay on 'closing the contact associated with its finder forwards ground to the second assign relay to `operate it if 'the 'first finder link is busy and releases the vfirst finder kassign relay. If the `first finder link is idle no ground will be sent back to the second assign relay and the first assign relay will remain operated and prepare its associated Therefore as long as the tinder-repeater-selector llink vassociated with any finder assign relay forwards -ground over the. guard lead to the succeedingfnder assign relay indicating a busy condition that link will not be seized by another line and all operations will be completed in a manner to be explained.

Vertical oft-normal springs V. O. N. opened on operation of the `iinder. A ground forwarded from `contacts of the transfer relay in the selector 410 before seizure of the selector, over ALB conductor, 'contacts 323, 245, ALB conductor, vertical oli-normal springs V. O. N. to ALB relay is removed on opening ofthe V. O. N. springs. As the ALB relay is commonly connected to all iinder-repeater-selector links of the group, it will remain operated until all `links are busy and all the grounds removed from ALB lead and will on releasing assign another group of links to serve this subgroup of lines as shown `in Patent 2,513,426. Therefore itis necessary to maintain each link busy until Vall operations 'are completed. This will be done in a manner to be explained.

The party at the paystation on hearing dial tone now 'dials the first digit of the assigned civic service number. Attention of the reader is called to the coin magnet windings 55 and 50 4and neon lamps 57 and'53 which are connected across the trunk at this time. 1f a coin is deposited before dialling each winding is connected on one side to its associated side of line and on the other to a common ground at CS1. This ground is removed each time the dial is operated as oit-normal springs 20 open and thereby prevents the magnet from pulsing as two lamps and the both windings of the magnet are across the line. In the present case there is no connection to ground at CS1 as a coin is not deposited. Therefore, as the dial is turned ofi-normal springs 20 are opened for no purpose and the coin magnets are still connected between the +L and -L sides of the trunk. However, the windings do not interfere with pulsing as they are each sufficiently insulated from the line by neon lamps in series 57 and 53 respectfully. Dial springs 10 are opened and closed 4topulse relay 330 a number of times corresponding 'to the dialled digit while contacts 30 and 40 are closed to shunt the transmitter -80 and receiver 80. Relay 330 releasing and operating as the dial springs are operated, allows contacts 332 to close thereby completing the previously prepared circuit to slow-to-release relay 369 `which operates and remains operated during dialling of the digit. The selector 410 is stepped simultaneously in the weil-known manner as contacts 331 are operated by relay 330. Slow-to-release relay 360 closes contacts 361 and 362 to shunt the upper and lower windings of relay 340 and thereby improve pulsing. C conductor 381 was grounded as usual in the selector switch on seizure of the selector and completes an obvious circuit to the right hand winding of relay 370, which does not operate with this winding alone jas fon free ilocal service battery is not reversed on answer bylthevcalled civic'servicefand the lwindings are opposed. Relay 360 also closes contacts 363 and Y"364. 'Contacts 363 completing an-energizingcircuit to the motor magnet of sequence switch V390 throughthe contacts 399 associated with cam 5. A holding circuit -is prepared to relay 250`at contacts 364 which circuit is not completed vas relay 250 is never operated if coin is not deposited, as willbeexplained.

Relay 360 is held operated for the period yof each digit and at the end fof Vthe dialling of each digit releases to open contacts 361,362, 363 and 364. 'Openingof contacts 363 at 'the Aend rof the first `digit allows the motor vmagnet of the sequence switch 390to deenergize to-thereby step cams 1-5 from their normal position to their first position. 'On being stepped to vtheir rst position contacts 391, 392, 393, and 394 close. Contacts 395, .396, 398 and 399 remain in their previous position vwhile contacts 397 are closed. Contacts 391 on closing place an additional `ground on the guard lead to thereby prevent seizure 'ofthe associated inder until the `sequence switch has returned to normal. Contacts 392 and 393 "shunt relay'340 to Iprevent `operation thereof after a digit li's :dialled.

The parity at the paystation Vnow proceeds to-dial the second and third digits of the free service number to operate the connector switch which is seized in any wellknown manner by selector 410 `after the viirst digit dialled. Trunk 380 is switched through the selector-410 to the connector and as relay 330 pulses contacts 331 in accordance with dial pulses the connector switch is 0perated to complete the connection to the desired civic service line. During the dialling of the second digitrelay 360 is again operated to again close its associated contacts and thereby energize the motor magnet of sequence switch 390 as before described. No yother circuits are completed yat this time inthe repeater. After the party at the paystation dials the third digit cam 3 closes contacts 396 and thereby shunts contacts 331 through contacts 324 to thereby prevent the stepping of any further switches Von the dialling of a fourth or other digits had the 'party dialled digits other than those assigned to a civic service. If desired, the structure of cam 3 may be changed so that shunting of pulsing contacts 331 may be accomplished after any desired number of digits are dialled.

If the party at the paystation desiring to place afree call to a civic service has deposited a coin unwittingly prior to dialing and after having heard dial tone indicating seizure of the selector, CS1 would be closed and :CS2 would be momentarily closed as 'the coin fell through the chute. CS2 on closing, momentarily shunts one winding of differential relay 340 to cause its momentary operation. Relay 340 will not operate on'deposit of a coin after dialling has been initiated as it is shunted either at the contacts of relay 360 or cam contacts 392 and'393. Re-

flay 34) closes contacts 341 thereby operating relay 320 from the ground on C conductor 381. Relay 320 on operating closes contacts 325 and 322 and opens contacts 321, 323 and 324. Opening of contacts 323 of course opens another point in the ALB relay circuit and as relay 320 does not release until after Vselector 411i releases it will prevent ground being sent back to the -ALB relay for a few moments longer. At contacts 32S an obvious circuit will be completed over conductor 291 for the operation of slow-to-release relay 250 which at contacts 252 provides another holding ground over the C conductor 355 to hold the finder switch. It also closes contacts 251 "to prepare a circuit for relay 240 and prepares `a holding circuit for itself at contacts 253-. At contacts v254 it prepares a circuit to the motor magnet of the sequence switch 390 for a purpose to be explained. Relay 320 is held operated from the Agroundon C .conductor 381 and contacts 322. The opening of contacts --324 Vprevents the shunting of 'contacts 331 after the third digit is dialled so that if the party Vintends to dial digits other operated for a suicient period of time.

farm-,ese

Ythan those assigned one of the civic services he may do so as more than 3 digits are required for other connections.Y Y

' The dialing of the rst digit after deposit of a coin causes the equipment to operate in the manner previously described with the exception that a holding circuit will be completed for'relay 250 at contacts 364, over conductor 366 and contacts 253. At the end of 'the rst digit relay 340 is shunted at contacts v392 and 393.` Release of relay 340 4however does not effect relay 320 as it is still held operated at contacts'322. Dialling ofthe second and third digits does not complete circuits other than those mentioned Vand the connection to the desired civic service is accordingly completed assuming that the party dialled one of the assigned numbers.

On aY call to a civic service, 'battery is not reversed onthe trunk and therefore relay 371i is not operated whether a coin has been deposited or not. When a party has completed his call to a civic service and has hung up, the loop to relay 330 is opened at contacts 90 and described energizing circuit for the motor magnet of sequence switch 390. If a coin :has been deposited and therefore vrelay 250 is energized closing of contacts 364 holds Arelay 250 energized for an additional period in the event the succeeding switch is releasing to remove ground -rom relay .320 to in turn open the original energizing circuit ofrelay 250. Relay 360 will release some time after relay 350 releases so that relay 250 will be held Relay 350 after a short period of time releases and prepares another circuit tothe motor magnet at contacts 352, conductor 376, .contacts '269, contacts 254 if relay 250 is operated due to deposition of a coin or contacts 255 if relay 254) is not operated, conductors 257 or 256 respectively, contacts 394 or 397 respectively. As relay 350 on releasing 'had opened contacts 354, relay 360 releases to open contacts' 363 to cause the motor magnet to deenergize land step the sequence switch 390 to its fourth position and also closes contacts 399 to complete one of the alternate stepping circuits for the motor magnet from contacts 394 or 397 respectively, which will step in a selfinterrupted manner to its seventh position, where if stepping circuit was completed over conductor 257 land contacts 397 it will now be opened as cani 4 opens contacts 397. If relay 250 was not operated the motor magnet is effective to step the switch 390 tot its home position over the circuit associated with contacts 255 and 394.

By this time the succeeding selector switch 410 is rcleased to remove ground from C conductor 331 to release relay 320, which operated if a coin was deposited, tothereby 'openV contacts 325, 322 and close contacts '321, 323 and 324. Contacts 322 on opening break the 'the ALB relay and at contacts 246 closes a circuit to send ground pulses over conductor 258 and contacts 398 (closed by -carn 5 in its seventh position) to the motor magnet MM at the rate of 20 pulses per second to step the sequence switch 399 eventually to its thirteenth position. As the sequence switch reaches its eighth position, -llO-volt refund potential is sent over conductor 259, contacts 395 associated with cam 2, conductor 279, test relay 230, contacts 243, -L line of trunk 110 through the nder`70, line' circuit 60, neon lamp 53,

Vmagnet 50 and ott-normal springs 20 to ground atCS1 closed by the deposited coin to operate magnet 50. Simultaneously, volt refund potential at contacts 244 is applied to +L line of trunk 110 through nder 70, line circuit 60, to ionize neon lamp 57 and energize winding 55 through off-normal springs 20 to aid in the refunding operation. Although this is not necessary for Operating small coin deposits, it is of great value in refunding large coin load, or in the opposite case for collectinglargeloads, as both magnet windings operate o n full potential to aid each other. This action will be reversed on a collect operation and the windings will act oppositely to their operation on refund. Test relay 230 operates simultaneously to close contacts 231 and hold relay 250 operated. If the refund is a success CS1 will open. As the sequence switch 390 is stepped to its ninth position contacts 395 open and relay 230 releases to open the circuit to relay 250.- If therefunding operation was a success, relay 230 will not be reoperated as CS1 is open when switch 390 is stepped to position 10. This allows suicient time for relay 250 to release and open the circuit to relay 240 which in turn releases. Relay 250 releasing opens contacts 252 to remove ground from C conductor 355 so that the finder may release. If the refunding operation was not successful, CS1 remaining closed will cause relay 230 to reoperate and thus maintain relay 250 operated when springs 395 close so that the refunding attempt and test is made also while the switch is in positions 10 and 12. If the refunding operation was successful, relays 240 and 250 release to open the motor magnet circuit at 246. Release of relay 250 however completes the previously mentioned stepping circuit from contacts 255 and 394 to step the switch to its home position.

When the sequence switch 390 is once more at normal ground is removed at contacts 391 from the guard conductor so that the present link may be held by its associated assign relay in the allotter until called into use for another line. Thus even if the nder is released before the sequence switch is returned to normal the link cannot be seized. Likewise ground was withheld from the ALB relay in the allotter by open contactsA 323 and 245 until all collection attempts have been completed. It will thus be noted that free service may be arranged and if by mistake a coin is deposited the equipment automatically refunds the same while preventing the seizure of the equipment until it has been returned to normal.

Regular local calls A regular local call is initiated from a paystation by the deposit of a coin after removal of the handset and the receipt of dial tone indicating seizure of a finderselector link in the same manner as previously described. Gn deposit of a coin as previously noted the line `is unbalanced as CS2 is momentarily closed and 'differential relay 341) is operated resulting in the operations of relays 320 and 250 as previously described. The 'dialling of digits results in the stepping of sequence switch to its seventh position in the manner previously described for stepping it from its first to its third position. Contacts 331 are not shunted at the end of the third digit as relay 320 is operated to open contacts 324. Contacts 398, 396, 394, 393,392 and 391 are all closed at the end of the seventh digit as previously described when the sequence switch was in its seventh position. Contacts 397 are opened however and therefore themotor magnet stepping circuit that includes these contacts is not effective. Thus the sequence switch is not stepped from the seventh position until the call is completed and the parties have returned their handsets to their respective switchhooks.

When the called party answers battery is reversed on trunk 380 in any well-known manner and relay 370 0perates to closecontacts 371 and complete a circuit from ground on the C conductor 381, contacts 371, conductor geneest 387 to relay 260. Relay 260 on operating completes an obvious holdingcircuit at contacts 265 and switches trunk 110 at contacts 263 and 264 Vto trunk 380 and thereby release relay 330. A short time after relay 330 releases, relay 350 releases. Relay 360 does not operate at Vthis time Yas relay -260 operated and op'enedcontacts 266 and closed -contacts 267 to operate relay 220 which holds operatedfrom ground from the C conductor 355 and its 'contact 221. It also prepares for a collect operation at contacts 222. Relay 350 releasing at this time also .prepares a previously described stepping circuit for the motor magnet of the sequence switch 390 which stepping circuit is not completed as both relays 250 and 269 are operated opening respectively contacts 2,55 and 269 and closing respectively contacts -254 and 268 and contacts 397 of cam 2t of the sequence switch 390 are open.

When the call is completed and the parties have replaced their handsets relay 370 will release as will the selector switch and ground will be removed from the C conductor 331 and thereby cause the release of relay 260 and relay 320. Release of relay 260 allows contacts 259 to close preparing another point in the previously described motor magnet stepping circuit. As relay 250 is slow-to-release it holds operated until relay 240 -is operated to close ythe previously mentioned contacts as previously explained while the motor magnet is stepped by ground pulses over contacts 246, conductor 258 and contacts 398 of cam 5 from its seventh to its eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth position at a rate of 20 steps per second. On reaching its eighth position cam 2 closes contacts 395 to apply positive potential to the trunk 110, in a manner previously described for applying the refund potential. However at this time the windings 55 and 5i) are energized to operate the magnet in the opposite direction to collect a coin or coins on deposit asl +110 volt lcollect potential is applied from contacts -222 to the previously described circuit. Three attempts are made to collect if the iirst and second attempts are failures; once in position eight, once in ten, and once in twelve, while -a spacing interval is provided therebetween at positions nine and eleven of the sequence "switch for testing Vin cooperation with relays 231!` and 240 in a manner 'previously explained. From position thirteen the sequence switch will be stepped to its home .position over contacts 352, conductor 376, contacts 269, contacts 255, conductor 256, contacts 394 and 399 as relay 250 must release after the sequence switch reaches position thirteen as test relay 230 cannot operate again. Relay 250 on releasing also opens the circuit to relay 2.40 at contacts 251 and relay 240 releases. Simultaneously ground is removed from C conductor 355 at contacts 252 to allow relay 22d and finder 270 to release as already mentioned.

Assuming less than seven digits but more than three are required to complete a local call, sequence switch 390 operated to either positions 4, or 6 and contacts 397 are 'closed when the connection is completely extended. Reversal of battery on answer by the called fparty operates relay 370 to in turn operate switching 'through relay-260 to in Vturn disconnect relay 330. Rel'e'aseof relay 330 releases relay 35i) to complete a circuit Vto the 'motor magnet MM of the sequence switch 390 as follows: ground, contacts 352, conductor 376, contacts v26S, `-contacts 254, contacts 397 of ca'rn 4, contacts 399', winding vof the rm'otor magnet and battery. 'The motor --rnagnets steps in `self-interrupted 'manner `to position 7 'at which time contacts 397 open, and the 'stepping circuit is opened. Operation then is asdescribed on a regular`7 digit local c'all.

The refund operation on a regular local -eall is similar to 'that cdescribed for refunding a coin deposited-for Yfree ilocal service. ,Sequen'ce `switch l390 however is in 'its se've'r'rth position when the vcalling -p'a'rty finishes dialling. vRelay 320 .is operatedof course `but will release when the selector -releases as the calling party Ahangs up whenl unable to 'complete the connection. Therefore 'relay 370 and 260 will not operate as battery is not reversed 'on -the trunk. Relays 330 and 35i) released Whenthe calling party replaced his handset but relay 36'0 'operates as described before relay 35i) releases. it will release some time after relay 350 releases. Relay 250 was of course 'operated after Vrelay 320 operated. It operated from contacts 364, conductor 366 and contacts 253, and due to its slow-t'o-release characteristics it remains operated for a period of time after relay 36o releases to open contacts 364. Relay 240 operates as contacts 321 and 251 are closed to in turn apply ground pulses to the motor magnet of the sequence switch at contacts 246, conductor 258 and contacts 398 to advance the switch to repeat 'the already described refunding operations. After the switch has either refunded the coin or 'reaches position thirteen a previously described circuit is completed to step the Switch to its home position and return Sits associated contacts to normal.

Toll calls Toll calls do not `necessitate the deposit of a coin before dialling as the ytoll operator can be reached on the dialling of only one digit 0 which results in stepping the selector to the appropriate position for establishing the connection. lOn being signalled, the toll operator will place her `plug in the `jack of the seized trunk to reverse battery on trunk 380 and operate relay 370 which in turn operates relay 260 as described. At this point it is pointed out that the CLR trunk can be arranged to manually refund a coin if there had been one deposited as relay 260 switches the trunk through to the CLR trunk. Operation of relays 340 and 320 of course have no etfect'in a toll call. When the Vtoll operator answers a call she will hear a tone connected through the C lead from lead 370 indicating that a paystation is calling. Relay 260 in turn operates relays 22) and 250 to prepare the repeater for a collect operation. Relay 260 switches the trunk as before described to disconnect relays 33 0 Yand v350. Release of relay 350 completes a circuit already described on less than 7 digit regular calls foroperating the motor magnet to step the sequence switch to its seventh position. The operator `may now extend the connection to a desired called line and when such connection is ready, will request the calling party to deposit Ythe required number of coins in therusual manner. The

party at the paystation now deposits the required number of coins, in response to the operators request, andthe operator checks the deposit by the usual tone signals.

-ease 'for the reasons already given.

Thus having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a telephone system including apparatus operable for completing calls from a paystation having a coin receiving lmeans and a line extending from said paystation to said apparatus on initiation of a call from said station, acoin magnet including several windings, one side of each winding connected together and the other side of Yeach winding connected to said line, means controlled by the receipt of a coin in said receiving means for connecting said oneside of each winding to ground, and means associated with said apparatus thereafter operated lif .a call is completed for energizing said windings over said line and said ground tooperate said magnet in one direction to collect saidcoin and thereby dispose of it, said means operated for energizing said windings over said line -and saidground to operate said magnet, in another `gymnase direction to refund said coin `andthereby dispose of it if a call is not completed.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said last means is operated for energizing said windings to operate said relays on release of a call.

3. A system such as claimed in claim l, in which said last means are operated when a coin is on deposit in said receiving means to energize said windings for only a predetermined time, and means are operated by said last means whenever said windings are energized for causing said last means to re-energize said windings for another predetermined time.

4. In a telephone system including apparatus operable for completing calls and a paystation having a coin receiving means and a line extending from said paystation to said apparatus and over which circuits are completed, a coin magnet including a plurality of windings, one end of each w-inding connected together and the other end of each winding individually connected to dilerent sides of said line, means controlled by the receipt of a coin in said receiving means for connecting said one end of said windings to ground, a circuit, and means associated with said apparatus and operated thereby for completing said circuit over each side of said line through each winding to ground for energizing said windings to operate said magnet in one direction for collecting a coin in said receiving means if a call has been completed by said apparatus and in the other direction to refund a coin in said receiving means if a call has been completed by said apparatus.

5. In a system such as claimed in claim 4, test means operated over said completed circuit, said coin magnet operated over said completed circuit for disconnecting said one end from ground and for disposing of a coin in said receiving means, said circuit completing means thereafter operated for also disconnecting said circuit, and other means included in said circuit completing means operated by said operated test means for maintaining said circuit prepared, said apparatus including means for operating said circuit completing means a predetermined number of times to thereby complete said prepared circuit each time if said test means is maintained operated by said coin magnet failing to disconnect said one end from ground and dispose of said coin to thereby enable said prepared circuit to be completed by said circuit completing means.

6. In a telephone system including apparatus operable `for completing calls and a paystation having a coin receiving means and a line extending to said apparatus and over which said apparatus is operated by an impulse sender at said paystation, a coin magnet including several windings, one end of each winding connected together and each other end of said windings individually connected to a different respective side of said line, normally closed contacts connected to said one end, said impulse sender normally arranged to shunt said windings on initiation of a call to thereby prevent their energization, means controlled by the receipt of a coin in said receiving means for connecting said contacts to ground, means for maintaining said contacts open when said apparatus is operated by said impulse sender to prevent energization of any of said coin magnet windings as said sender shunt is intermittently opened to operate said apparatus, and a circuit completed after removal of said impulse sender shunt from said windings on release of a call through each winding and through said contacts to ground by said apparatus for energizing said windings to operate said magnet in one direction if a call isrnot completed for refunding `a coin in said receiving means and energizing said windings to operate said magnets in another direction to collect a coin in said receiving means if a call is completed. l

7. In a system as claimed in claim 6, a glow discharge tube for each winding connected between each said other end of said windings and its respective side of said line 'to provide a high resistance and thereby .aid in prevent- 12 ling energization of said windings when said shunt is opened during operation of said apparatus.

8. lIn a telephone system having switching apparatus including means for completingfa call .and a paystation including a coin receiving means and having a coin magnet having several windings, a plurality of conductors extending from said .paystation to said switching apparatus, said magnet windings each individually connected on one side to a dileren-t one of lsaid conductors and having their other sides connected together, dial means at said paystation for operating said switching apparatus for establishing connection, a circuit completed if a coin has been deposited in said coin means and a call is completed ttor energizing said winding for operating said magnet in one direction for collecting said coin and in the other direction for refunding said coin if said call is not completed.

9. ln a system as claimed in claim 8, a neon lamp connected between one of said diterent conductors and its respective winding and another neon lamp connected between another of said dierent conductors and its respective winding for preventing operati-on of said magnet when said dial means are operated.

l0. In a telephone system having switching apparatus including means for completing a call and a paystation having a coin receiving means, coin magnet having a plurality of coils, a plurality of conductors extending from said paystation to said switching apparatus, each coil connected together at one end and individu-ally connected at their other ends to a respective one of said conductors, dial means at said paystation `for automatically operating said switching apparatus, ya circuit prepared to each said coils on deposit of a coin in said receiving means, said circuit completed over said conductors by said apparatus when said dial means are in normal position and a call is completed for energizing said coils to thereby operate said magnet for collecting said coin and for energizing said coils to thereby operate said magnet for refunding said coin if a call is not completed.

l1. zIn a telephone system including apparatus for completing calls and a paystation having a coin receiving means and a line, ya coin magnet including several windings, one end of each winding connected together and each other end of said windings individually connected to a d-iierent respective side of said line, means controlled by the receipt of a coin in said receiving means for connecting said one end to ground, dial means for operating said apparatus for completing a call, a switch associated with said apparatus and operated once for every operation of said dial means, means operatedjby said switch for completing -a circuit to said windings of said magnet over said line to thereby operate said magnet in one direction to collect a coin if a call is completed and in the other direction for refunding Ia coin if a call is not completed.

12. In a telephone system including apparatus for completing calls and a paystation having a coin receiving means Aand a line, a coin magnet including a plurality of windings, one end of each winding connected together and the other end of each winding individually connected to -a different respective side of said line, means controlled by the receipt of a coin in said receiving means for connecting said one end to ground, dial means operable a number of times for sending a series of digit impulses over said line for controlling said apparatus for completing a call, a switch associated with said .apparatus and operated once for each opera- -tion of said dial means, means operated by. said switch for completing a circuit over said line and through said windings to ground to energize said windings for operating said magnet to dispose of a coin in said receiving means, means operated by said switch if a coin is not deposited in said receiving means for disabling said apparatus `from control by said dial means Iafter said dial means are operated Ia predetermined number of times,

, and means operated upon receipt of a coin in said receiving means for enabling said dial means to control said apparatus if said predetermined number of digits have not dialled.

13. In `a 'telephone system having .automatic switching apparatus including means for completing connections, Isome of said .connections completed on the dialling of certain predetermined digits, other `of said connections completed on the dialling of other predetermined digits, a paystation having 'a coin receiving means, a coin magnet, la sequence switch associated with said switching apparatus operated once for each digit dialled for preventing the completion of said other connections on the dialling of said other predetermined numbers if a coin has not been deposited in said receiving means, means for automatically operating said sequence switch if said other connections Iare completed, and means operated by said automatically operated sequence switch tor operating said coin magnet in one direction for collecting said coin.

14. In a telephone system having switching apparatus including means for completing a call and Ia playstation having a coin receiving means, a coin magnet at said station, a sequence switch associated with said switching apparatus, dial means at said paystation for operating said switching apparatus, means in said apparatus for operating said sequence switch once for each digit dialled and thereafter automatically, and a circuit completed by said switch when automatically operated for operating said coin magnet Vfor disposing of a coin deposited in said receiving means, said circuit completed again by said automatically operated sequence switch if said coin is not disposed of.

15. In =a telephone system including switching apparatus and paystation lines each-having coin receiving means, -a coin magnet and an impulse sender for controlling said switching apparatus, means associated with said lines for seizing said apparatus on initiation of a call from one of said lines for associating said apparatus with a calling line and placing said apparatus under control of said impulse sender, a sequence switch associated with said apparatus, means in said apparatus operated once for each operation of said impulse sender to operate said sequence switch accordingly, means for thereafter automatically operating said switch, means thereafter operated by said automatically operated switch for operating said magnet for disposing of a coin in said receiving means, said switch operated means thereafter ineiiective if said coin is disposed and effective a predetermined time if said coin is not disposed, means including said apparatus operated by said switch for preventing said seizing means from seizing said apparatus until said last switch operated means has completed operation, and means operated by said switch for preventing seizure of said apparatus by said seizing means until said switch is returned to normal.

16. In a `telephone system including switching apparatus anda paystation having coin receiving means, a coin magnet and an impulse sender for controlling said switching apparatus to complete a call, a sequence switch associated with said apparatus operated once for each operation of said impulse sender, disabling means operated by said switch after a predetermined number of operations for disabling said apparatus to prevent completion of a call, means operated on receipt of a coin in said receiving means for rendering said disabling means ineffective to thereby allow said apparatus :to complete a call, means for thereafter automatically operating said switch, a circuit prepared on receipt of a coin in said receiving means, circuit completing means operated by Isaid automatically operated switch for completing said circuit for thereby operating said magnet to dispose of lsaid coin, and other means including said circuit for maintaining said circuit prepared, said circuit completing means thereafter again completing said circuit if said coin is not disposed and allowing lthe release 'of said other means if said coin is Vdisposed to thereby prevent completion of said circuit by posing of said coin, means operated if said coin 'is disposed for thereafter preventing completion of said circuit, said last means inelective if said coin is not disposed to 'thereby allow said circuit to be completed a predetermined number of times by said switch, and means operated by said switch for preventing seizure of said apparatus until said switch has completed its operation.

18. In a telephone system including switching apparatus `and a payStatin having a coin receiving means, a coin magnet for disposing of a coin deposited in said receiving means and an impulse sender for controlling said switching apparatus to establish connection, a sequence switch associated with said apparatus 'operated once for each operation of said impulse sender, disabling means operated by said switch 'after .a predetermined number of operations for disabling said apparatus to prevent establishment of a connection, means operated on receipt of a coin in said receiving means Vfor rendering said disabling means ineiiective to thereby rallow said apparatus to establish 1a connection, a circuit prepared through said coin magnet on "receipt of a coin in said receiving-means, means for automatically operating said switch on yrelease of a connection, circuit completing means iopf'e'iated by said automatioaily operated switch on release of a connection for completing said circuit to operate said magnet in one direction for collecting said coin if .a connection was completed and in another direction for refunding said coi-n if a connection was not completed, means including said circuit operated to maintain 'said Vcircuit prepared, said circuit completing means disabled `and lagain rendered etfective by said automatically operated switch if said coin is not disposed for cornpleting said circuit to again operate said coin magnet.

19. In a telephone Isystem having automatic switching apparatus for establishing connections from calling lines to called lines, said calling lines including a pay- `station having coin receiving means, a coin magnet having windings and a plurality of conductors extending from said paystation to said switching apparatus, an impulse sender for the paystation having contacts, circuits including certain contacts of said sender completed over said conductors for operating said switching apparatus, one side of said windings connected together, the other side of each winding connected to a respective one of said conductors, other contacts of said I'sender connected to the one side of said windings, a switch associated with said switching apparatus, means for operating said switch once for each digit dialled on said sender, a relay in said switching apparatus, contacts operated by a coin deposited in said receiving means, a circuit completed on receipt of a coin in said receiving means through said last contacts for operating said relay, means operated by said switch after it has been operated a predetermined number of times for preventing further operation of said switching apparatus, means operated by said relay for disabling said last means, means for thereafter automatically operating said switch, and a circuit completed by said switch on automatic operation for energizing said windings for operating said coin magnet, said circuit completed over said respective ones of said conductors and said other contacts for operating said magnet in one direction for collecting a coin deposited in said receiving means if the connection is completed to a called line and in the other direction for refunding a coin if the connection is not completed.

20. In a system as claimed in claim 19, means operated by completion of said circuit for preventing the seizure of said apparatus by another calling line, and means operated by said switch for preventing seizure of said apparatus until said switch is returned to normal.

21. In a system as claimed in claim 19, means associated with said calling lines for seizing said apparatus, and means operated by said switch for preventing the seizure means associated with another line from seizing said apparatus.

said switching apparatus to complete connections on the dialling of certain predetermined numbers and other connections on the dialling of other predetermined numbers, a switch associated with said apparatus, means for operating said switch once for each digit dialled, contacts opened on operation of said dial means and commonly connected to the other side of said windings, a circuit completed on deposit of a coin in said receiving means through said contacts, common connection, windings and line, said circuit opened when'said contacts are opened by said dial means, a glow discharge tube connected between each side of said line and said windings to thereby prevent the energization of said magnet windings at other times, enabling means operated on deposit of a coin in said receiving means for allowing said apparatus to complete a connection on the dialling of said other predetermined numbers, means operated by said switch after a certain predetermined number of operations for disabling said apparatus if said enabling means are not operated to thereby alllow connections to be completed only on the dialling of said certain predetermined numbers, a source of diiering potentials, means for operating said switch after completion of a connection, means operated on completion of one of said other connections for selecting one of said potentials, a circuit thereafter completed by said switch to one of said potentials and including said line, windings and contacts for energizing said windings to operate said magnet for collecting said coin, said circuit opened if said coin is collected, said last means again operating said switch to complete 4said circuit a predetermined number of times if said coin is not collected and thereafter returning said switch to normal, and a circuit including said line, windings and contact completed by said switch to another of said potentials for energizing said windings for operating said magnet for refunding a deposited coin if a connection is completed on dialling of said certain predetermined numbers and if a call is not completed on the dialling of said other predetermined numbers, said last circuit recompleted a predetermined number of times by said operated switch if said coin is not refunded.

23. In -a telephone system including apparatus for completing calls fromV a substation having measured service equipment including a magnet for controlling said equipment and a line .extending to saidl apparatus and over which said apparatus is operated by an impulse sender at said station, saidv coin magnet comprising a plurality of coils, a plurality of circuits having a common portion, means operated before completion of a call for connecting said common portion to one end of each coil, said other end of each coil normally individually connected to respective sides of said line, and means operated if a call is completed on operation of said apparatus by said impulse sender for completing one of said circuits over both sides of said line and through said coils and said common portion for energizing said coils to operate said magnet to control said equipment accordingly.

24. A system such as claimed in claim 23, in which means are operated if a call is uncompleted for completing another circuit over both sides of said line through said coils and said common portion for energizing said coils to operate said magnet in another direction to control said equipment correspondingly.

25. In a telephone system including apparatus for completing calls from a substation having a measured service equipment including a magnet for controlling said equipment and a line extending to said apparatus and over which a circuit having a particular potential therein is completed through contacts at said station to said apparatus on initiation of a call from said station and which contacts are intermittently opened and closed to control said apparatus to complete a call, said magnet comprising `a plurality of coils one end of which are connected together and the other end of which are connected to respective sides of said line, said ycoils arranged to be effectively shunted by said contacts when closed for preventing the energization thereof over said circuit from said potential, a second circuit including said line, means for preparing said second circuit from said line through saidcoils to said one end of said coils before completion of a call, and means for maintaining said second circuit uncompleted when said contacts are intermittently opened to thereby prevent energization of said coils.

26. In a system such as claimed in claim 25, a second potential, means operated on release of a call for opening said contacts to remove said shunt and for completing said second circuit and applying said second potential thereto for energizing said coils to operate said magnet for controlling said equipment.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,480,403 Lattig Jan. 8, 1924 1,667,915 Wicks May 1, 1928 1,744,593 Timme Ian. 21, 1930 2,062,444 Cesaro Dec. 1, 1936 2,226,731 Lomax Dec. 31, 1940 2,385,720 Molnar Sept. 25, `1945 

